Annual Sackville Walk for Alzheimer’s raises close to $13,000

Sunday afternoon saw dozens of area residents come out in support of this year’s Sackville Walk for Alzheimer’s, which is aimed at raising funds and awareness for an affliction that is touching more and more New Brunswickers every single day. Above, participants head into the Sackville Waterfowl Park to begin the walk. - Scott Doherty

85 area residents registered for fourth annual event

SACKVILLE, N.B. – Organizers of Sunday’s Walk for Alzheimer’s are overwhelmed by the continuing support the community has shown for the annual event.

Although the final numbers have yet to be tallied, 85 area residents registered for the fourth annual event, with close to $13,000 raised in support of the Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick (ASNB).

Sackville Mayor John Higham spoke to those in attendance prior to the start of the walk about the importance of supporting the event.

“Many people are dealing with Alzheimer’s and dementia and you often feel alone when you’re doing that,” Higham said. “This is an event which shows that the community here is with you.”

Sackville Mayor John Higham speaks to participants in Sunday afternoon’s fourth annual Sackville Walk for Alzheimer’s, which is held each year in the Sackville Waterfowl Park.

He added that Sackville’s ongoing efforts to become an age-friendly community also mean becoming dementia-friendly, “where people can be included in this community from the beginning of their symptoms through to the end as much as possible.

“We can create a system that delays those impacts and we can create an inclusion mechanism throughout this community as they progress with this terrible disease, but we’re not there yet.”

There are currently more than 15,000 New Brunswickers living with dementia, and that number is growing every day. To date, the Sackville Walk for Alzheimer’s has raised more than $73,000 in support of the ASNB.

Following Sunday’s event, organizing committee member Michael Fox praised those who came out to support the fourth annual Walk for Alzheimer’s.

“I was particularly struck with the number of people who come back each year and some of the individuals who collect significant pledges as part of their walk. We are really looking forward to the fifth walk next year.”

About Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative disease that affects each area of the brain, resulting in the loss of certain functions or abilities. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks.

Although current Alzheimer's treatments cannot stop Alzheimer's from progressing, they can temporarily slow the worsening of dementia symptoms and improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer's and their caregivers. There is also an effort under way to find better ways to treat the disease, delay its onset, and prevent it from developing.